Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1993 Nissan 200 Sx?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1993 Nissan 200 Sx?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1993 Nissan 200 Sx?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1993 Nissan 200 Sx reliable?

Based on MOT data from 849 vehicles, the 1993 Nissan 200 Sx has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.5%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1993 Nissan 200 Sx?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan 200 Sx (1993)

849 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.5% first-time pass rate

1993 Nissan 200 Sx

CarHunch analysed 849 real MOT records for the 1993 Nissan 200 Sx. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1993 Nissan 200SX passes its MOT first time in just 67.5% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals reliability concerns for a 30-year-old car. Roughly one in eight of these vehicles (13.3%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.

At around 111,000 miles on the clock, these examples have covered reasonable mileage for their age, but they're failing on average 1.63 times before passing and racking up 5.7 advisories per test—suggesting worn components and incremental decay rather than catastrophic faults. Before committing to one, budget for immediate remedial work and have a trusted mechanic inspect the cooling system, suspension, and exhaust, which typically feature in the failure patterns for vehicles of this vintage.

The 1993 Nissan 200 Sx has a below-average first-time pass rate (67.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

67.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

13.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.63

Over 5.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

110k

Middle half: 89k–132k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 5.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 849 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 849 Nissan 200 Sx cars.

Before you buy a 1993 Nissan 200 Sx

Based on MOT data from 849 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 13.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	848	67.5%	1.63

Colour Breakdown

Based on 12,914 Nissan 200 Sx vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 29.4%

3,796

Blue 18.8%

2,432

Green 11.9%

1,543

Black 11%

1,423

White 10.2%

1,316

Grey 8.6%

1,117

Purple 3.3%

427

Silver 2.4%

313

Gold 1.9%

245

Cream 1.6%

202

Yellow 0.4%

Orange 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1993 Nissan 200 Sx vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

110,466

typical

89,053

low mileage

131,741

high mileage

Half of all 1993 Nissan 200 Sx vehicles fall between 89,053 and 131,741 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 89,053 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 89,053–131,741 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1993 Nissan 200 Sxs sit.

⚠ Over 177,850 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1993 Nissan 200 Sx — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 41% of 1993 Nissan 200 Sxs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 40 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (41% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

5.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.63

Avg failures per vehicle

5.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan 200 Sx: All 200 Sx years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on